Light transmission system and method for buildings

ABSTRACT

A light transmission system and method for a building according to which shading surfaces are provided on the roof of the building for preventing direct sunlight from passing through a roof light, while permitting the maximum amount of indirect sunlight to pass through the roof light.

BACKGROUND

[0001] This invention relates generally to buildings and, in particular, to buildings including light transmission systems for shading the interior of the building.

[0002] In order to provide optimal viewing of objects within a building, such as, for example, paintings, sculptures, or other artifacts within a museum, or the like, it is desirable to use indirect natural, or ambient, light in order to maximize the aesthetic quality of the appearance of such objects. However, conventional methods of providing such indirect light do not provide sufficient lighting levels within the interior spaces of most buildings of this type.

[0003] The present invention is directed to overcoming the limitations of the above prior art techniques by providing indirect ambient light into the interior of a building in a manner to maximize the aesthetic quality of the objects therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004]FIG. 1a is a perspective view of a building according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0005]FIG. 1b is a enlarged perspective view of a section of the building of FIG. 1a.

[0006]FIG. 1c is a partial sectional-partial elevational view of the building section of FIG. 1b.

[0007]FIG. 1d is a enlarged, partial, exploded isometric view of components of the building section of FIGS. 1b and 1 c.

[0008]FIGS. 2a-2 c are flow chart illustrations of an embodiment of a method for designing a shading system for the building of FIGS. 1a-1 d.

[0009]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a roof light for the building of FIGS. 1a-1 d.

[0010]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a shading surface for the roof light of FIG. 3.

[0011]FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of the sun path for the roof light of FIG. 3.

[0012]FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 are schematic illustrations of an embodiment of a process for determining the critical shading surface for the roof light and shading surface of FIG. 4.

[0013]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the shading system for the roof light of FIG. 3.

[0014]FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of the building of FIGS. 1a-1 d incorporating the roof light and shading system of FIG. 9.

[0015]FIG. 11 is a top view of the roof of the building of FIGS. 1a-1 d including a plurality of square roof lights divided into triangular sections.

[0016]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the outside envelope of the shading surfaces for the lower triangular section of one of the square roof lights of FIG. 10.

[0017]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a portion of the shading system for the lower triangular section of the square roof light of FIG. 11.

[0018]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a shading surface for the other portion of the shading system for the lower triangular section of the square roof light of FIG. 11.

[0019] FIGS. 15-17 are schematic illustrations of an embodiment of the determination of the critical shading surface for the shading surface for the other portion of the shading system for the lower triangular section of the square roof light of FIG. 14.

[0020]FIG. 18 is a perspective illustration of the shading system for the lower triangular section of the square roof light of FIG. 17.

[0021]FIG. 19a is a perspective illustration of an embodiment of the shading systems for the upper and lower triangular sections of the square roof light of FIG. 18.

[0022]FIG. 19b is a side view of the embodiment of the shading systems for the upper and lower triangular sections of the square roof light of FIG. 19a.

[0023]FIG. 20a is a perspective illustration of a roof light module that includes a square roof light, and the shading systems for the upper and lower triangular sections of the square roof light.

[0024]FIG. 20b is a cross sectional view of the roof light module of FIG. 20a.

[0025]FIG. 21a is a perspective view of an embodiment of the building of FIGS. 1a-1 d incorporating the natural lighting module of FIGS. 20a and 20 b.

[0026]FIG. 21b is a top view of an embodiment of the building of FIGS. 1a-1 d incorporating a plurality of the natural lighting modules of FIGS. 20a and 20 b.

[0027]FIG. 21c is a cross sectional view taken along the line 21 c-21 c of FIG. 21b.

[0028]FIG. 22 is an illustration of the interlocking assembly of the adjacent natural lighting modules of FIG. 21b.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0029] Referring to FIG. 1a, a building according to an example of the invention is referred to, in general, by the reference numeral 10 and is formed by five longitudinally-spaced, contiguous sections, or modules, 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d and 10 e. The section 10 a is formed by an upright end wall 12 and an upright wall 14 which extends in a parallel, spaced relation to the wall 12 and serves as a common wall between the sections 10 a and 10 b. An arched roof assembly 16, which will be described in detail later, extends between the walls 12 and 14 and below the upper ends of the walls.

[0030] A front wall 18 extends between the walls 12 and 14 and generally perpendicular to the roof assembly 16. The front wall 18 is preferably of a transparent or translucent material, such as glass, and is divided into a plurality of rectangular sections by a plurality of spaced and intersecting struts 18 a. Although not shown in the drawing, it is understood that the section 10 a includes a rear wall which may be identical, or similar to, the front wall 18. Since the sections 10 b-10 e are identical to section 10 a, they will not be described in detail.

[0031] As better shown in FIG. 1b, the section 10 a includes a plurality of spaced, generally triangular-shaped, brackets 20 that are mounted to the roof assembly 16 in a manner to be described, and are spaced in a direction from front-to-rear of the building 10. A pair of support rods 22 and 24 are connected at one end to each bracket 20 and extend from the bracket to the upper portions of the walls 12 and 14, respectively, where their other ends are attached, in any conventional manner, to the walls in a plane above the brackets. The rods 22 and 24 thus extend at an angle to the roof assembly, and the design is such that the rods support the roof assembly 16 relative to the walls 12 and 14 in a manner to impart a slight curvature, or arch, to the roof assembly.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1c, the roof assembly 16 includes a light-transmission assembly 30 and a glass panel assembly 32 both of which are supported between the walls 12 and 14 (FIG. 1). To this end, the wall 12 is formed by a plurality of vertically-extending beams, or columns, 34, one of which is shown in FIG. 1c, which are spaced in a direction from front-to-rear of the building 10. The lower ends of the beams 34 are embedded in a foundation 35 extending below the building 10 in a conventional manner, and the beams are covered by a facade 36.

[0033] A bracket 38 is mounted to each beam 34 in a conventional manner, and has a flange 38 a extending externally of the facade 36 and into the interior of the building 10 for supporting the corresponding marginal edge portions of the light transmission assembly 30. As will be described in detail, the light transmission assembly 30 provides indirect ambient lighting in the interior space of the building 10.

[0034] The glass panel assembly 32 extends below, generally parallel to, and slightly spaced from, the light transmission assembly 30, and includes a plurality of spaced, horizontally-extending, beam assemblies 40, one of which is shown in FIG. 1d. Each beam assembly 40 includes two L-shaped beams 40 a and 40 b disposed in a back-to-back relationship with a mounting plate 42 extending therebetween. The beams 40 a and 40 b and the plate 42 are connected together in any known manner, such as by bolts, or the like, (not shown) extending through aligned openings in the beams and the plate. The beam assemblies 40 extend generally horizontally between the walls 12 and 14, are mounted to the walls in any convention manner, and are spaced apart in a direction from front-to-rear along the building 10.

[0035] The glass panel assembly 32 also includes two glass panels 44 a and 44 b associated with each beam assembly 40. The marginal edge portions of the panels 44 a and 44 b are supported by the horizontal legs of the corresponding beams 40 a and 40 b, respectively, of each beam assembly 40. Two additional glass panels, identical to the panels 44 a and 44 b, are supported by each of the remaining beam assemblies 40 so that the glass panels span the entire distance between the walls 12 and 14, and between the front wall 18 (FIG. 1a) and the rear wall (not shown) of the building 10. It is understood that, in relatively large installations, single glass panels 44 a and 44 b, as well as the remaining glass panels, may not span the entire width of the building section 10 a but rather can be divided up into a plurality of sections.

[0036] As also shown in FIG. 1d, each bracket 20 is pivotally mounted to a corresponding plate 42, and the corresponding rods 22 and 24 are pivotally mounted to the bracket. Since these pivotal mountings are conventional, they will not be described in detail.

[0037] Two additional support rods 46 and 48 are pivotally mounted, via links 46 a and 48 a, respectively, to each plate 42. The rods 46 and 48 extend substantially horizontally and, as shown in FIGS. 1b and 1 c, extend to the walls 12 and 14, respectively, and are connected to the latter walls 12 and 14 in any conventional manner to further support the roof 16 between the walls 12 and 14. Thus, the number of brackets 20, and associated rods 22, 24, 46, and 48 correspond to the number of beam assemblies 40.

[0038] Referring again to FIG. 1c, a U-shaped gutter 50 is disposed in the wall 12 and is connected to the beam 34 in any conventional manner. The gutter 50 extends between the beam 34 and its corresponding adjacent beam (not shown), and it is understood that additional gutters, identical to the gutter 50, extend between the other adjacent beams 34 in the wall 12. A plurality of plate-like guide members 52, which may be formed by weather stripping, or the like, extend from the glass panel assembly 32, through an opening in the facade 36, and terminate in an area just above the corresponding gutter 50. A vertically-extending drainpipe 54 extends downwardly from each gutter 50, through the remaining height of the wall 12, and through the foundation 35.

[0039] It is understood that the wall 14 is identical to the wall 12 and, as such, includes the same components as discussed above as well as identical components of the module 10 b, with the exception of the bracket associated with the wall 14 corresponding to the bracket 38, includes flanges, similar to the flange 38 a, that extend into the interior of both modules 10 a and 10 b.

[0040] As will be apparent from the following detailed description of the light transmission assembly 30, there is a possibility that rainwater will pass through the assembly and onto the upper surface of the glass panel assembly 32. If this happens, the water will flow, by gravity, across the upper surface of the arched glass panel assembly 32, in a direction from the highest point of the assembly to its lowest point at the marginal edges of the assembly, and thus towards the walls 12 and 14. With respect to the water flowing across the assembly 32 towards the wall 12, the guide members 52 function to direct the water from the assembly 32, into the wall 12, and into the gutters, including the gutter 50, for discharge to the area below the foundation 35, via the drainpipes 54. Of course the water flowing towards the wall 14 is directed and discharged in the same manner by the gutters and drainpipes associated with the latter wall.

[0041] The sections 10 b, 10 c, 10 d, and 10 e of the building 10 are constructed in the same manner as the section 10 a and therefore will not be described in detail.

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 2a, 2 b, 2 c, and 3-10, the reference numeral 110 refers, in general, to an illustrative embodiment of a method of designing a shading system for a roof light 112 a that is part of the light transmission assembly 30 of FIGS. 1a-1 c for providing indirect ambient lighting in the interior space of the building 10. Initially, the shape, orientation, and the geographic location of the roof light 112 a are determined in step 112. In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the roof light 112 a is circular and is located in a horizontal plane in Dallas, Tex. at a latitude of 32.5 N.

[0043] The shape of a shading surface 114 a for the roof light 112 a is then determined in step 114. The shading surface 114 a prevents rays of direct light from the sun from passing through the surface of the roof light 112 a. In this manner, the natural lighting of an interior of the building 10 is limited to indirect or diffuse ambient lightwaves thereby preventing hard shadows in the interior of the building. In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the shading surface 114 a is a right circular cylinder having an inside diameter that is equal to the diameter of the circular roof light 112 a that surrounds and is perpendicular to the plane of the roof light.

[0044] The sun path 116 a for the geographic location and orientation of the roof light 112 a is then determined in step 116. The sun path 116 a defines the azimuthal angular position α and the angular altitude β of the sun for a selected latitude. The azimuthal angular position a of the sun defines the angular location of the sun during the movement of the sun from east to west in the sky, and the angular altitude β of the sun defines the angular altitude of the sun in the sky relative to the plane of the roof light 112 a. In an exemplary embodiment, for a latitude of 32.5 ° N, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the maximum altitude β of the sun occurs for the summer solstice as defined by the sun path 116 aa, and the minimum altitude β of the sun occurs on the winter solstice as defined by the sun path 116 ab. In an exemplary embodiment, the sun path 116 a for the geographic location and orientation of the roof light 112 a is determined using conventional methods such as, for example, those disclosed in ASHRAE Fundamentals Handbook, SI Edition, 1997, 29.16 to 29.17, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0045] As illustrated in FIG. 6, an initial point P_(i) around the perimeter of the roof light 112 a and an initial angle of solar azimuth α_(j) are defined in step 118. In an exemplary embodiment, i may vary from 1 to M, and j may vary from 1 to N. In this manner, the shading system for the roof light 112 a may be determined by analyzing a plurality of M discrete points P_(i) and N discrete solar azimuthal angles α_(j). For each angle of solar azimuth α_(j), a line L_(ij) is drawn across the plane of the roof light 112 a from the point P_(i) to the corresponding point Q_(ij) at the intersection of the line L_(ij) with the opposite side of the perimeter of the roof light in step 120. The length LENGTH_(ij) of the line L_(ij) is then determined in step 122.

[0046] As illustrated in FIG. 7, for each angle of solar azimuth α_(j), the corresponding angle of solar altitude β_(j) is then used to determine the height H_(ij) of a point R_(ij) directly above the point P_(i) in step 124.

[0047] In an exemplary embodiment, the angles of solar altitude β_(j) for the summer solstice, as provided by the sun path 116 aa, are used to determine the height H_(ij) of a point R_(ij) directly above the point P_(i) in step 124 in order to ensure that the shading system can prevent direct sunlight from passing through the roof light 112 a throughout the year. Thus, in an exemplary embodiment, the point R_(ij) is representative of the source of direct light waves from the sun directed toward the point Q_(ij) during the summer solstice.

[0048] If j is not equal to N in step 126, then the index value j is increased in step 128, and steps 120, 122, 124, and 126 are repeated. Alternatively, if j is equal to N in step 126, then, for j=1 to N, the point R_(ij) having the maximum height H_(ij) is then determined, and, as illustrated in FIG. 8, a vector V_(i) is then constructed that extends from the point Q_(ij) corresponding to the point R_(ij) having the maximum height H_(ij) through the point R_(ij) in step 130. The point SHADEMAX_(i) at which the vector V_(i) intersects the shading surface 114 a is then determined in step 132.

[0049] Thus, the point SHADEMAX_(i) is representative of the corresponding point in space on the shading surface 114 a at which direct light waves from the sun during the summer solstice will impact the shading surface.

[0050] If i is not equal to M in step 134, then the index value i is increased in step 136, and steps 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, 132, and 134 are repeated. Alternatively, if i is equal to M in step 134, then a curve CSHADE is drawn through the points SHADEMAX_(i), for i=1 to M in step 138.

[0051] As illustrated in FIG. 9, the curve CSHADE defines the boundary of the shading surface 114 a required to ensure that the shading surface prevents direct sunlight from impacting the surface of the roof light 112 a. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the roof light 112 a and shading surface 114 a bounded by the curve CSHADE may then be utilized in light transmission assembly 30 in order to provide indirect ambient light waves into the interior of the building. Thus, the curve CSHADE defines the minimum profile of the shading surface 114 a required to prevent direct sunlight from passing through the roof light 112 a throughout a solar year, and thereby also defines the profile of the shading surface 114 a that permits the maximum amount of indirect sunlight to pass through the roof light through the solar year.

[0052] In an exemplary embodiment, one or more of the steps 112 to 138 of the method 110 are incorporated into a computer program that is implemented by a programmable general purpose computer. In this manner, the design of the shading system for the roof light 112 a may be provided in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, one or more of the steps 112 to 138 are incorporated into a computer program that is implemented in combination with a conventional computer-aided design software such as, for example, Autocad™ software by a programmable general purpose computer.

[0053] Referring to FIGS. 2a, 2 b, 2 c, 5, and 11-19 b an embodiment of a shading system for a plurality of substantially identical square roof lights 1100 a-1100 i designed using the method 110 will now be described that may also be incorporated into the light transmission assembly 30 (FIGS. 1a-1 c) of the building 10, in order to provide indirect ambient light within the interior space of the building. In step 112, as illustrated in FIG. 11, each of the square roof lights 1100 are positioned in a horizontal plane and are located in Dallas, Tex. at a latitude of 32.5 N. Furthermore, each of the square roof lights 1100 include an upper portion 1100 u and a lower portion 1100 l that are both right triangles that each include hypotenuses that extends from east to west.

[0054] In step 114, as illustrated in FIGS. 12, 13 and 14, shading surfaces 1102 a and 1102 b for the lower triangular portion 1100 l are then provided that extend above the lower triangular portion and the upper triangular portion 1100 u, respectively. The shading surfaces 1102 a and 1102 b are defined by and extend between a sinusoidal curve 1102 c and the perimeters of the lower and upper triangular portions, 1100 l and 1100 u, respectively.

[0055] In step 116, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the sun path 116 a for the lower triangular portion 1100 l is defined. As described above, in an exemplary embodiment, for a latitude of 32.5 N, the maximum altitude β of the sun occurs for the summer solstice as defined by the sun path 116 aa, and the minimum altitude β of the sun occurs on the winter solstice as defined by the sun path 116 ab.

[0056] As illustrated in FIG. 15, an initial point P_(i) around the perimeter of the square roof light 1100 and an initial angle of solar azimuth α_(j) are defined in step 118. For each angle of solar azimuth α_(j), a line L_(ij) is drawn across the plane of the square roof light 1100 from the point P_(i) to the corresponding point Q_(ij) at the intersection of the line L_(ij) with the opposite side of the perimeter of the square roof light in step 120. The length LENGTH_(ij) of the line L_(ij) is then determined in step 122. For each angle of solar azimuth α_(j), the corresponding angle of solar altitude β_(j) is then used to determine the height H_(ij) of a point R_(ij) directly above the point P_(i) in step 124.

[0057] In an exemplary embodiment, the angles of solar altitude βj for the summer solstice, as provided by the sun path 116 aa, are used to determine the height H_(ij) of a point R_(ij) directly above the point P_(i) in step 124 in order to ensure that the shading system can prevent direct sunlight from passing through the lower triangular portion 1100 l of the roof light 1100 throughout the year. Thus, in an exemplary embodiment, the point R_(ij) is representative of the source of direct light waves from the sun directed toward the point Q_(ij) during the summer solstice.

[0058] In an exemplary embodiment, the angles of solar altitude β_(j) for the summer solstice, as provided by the sun path 116 aa, are used to determine the height H_(ij) of a point R_(ij) directly above the point P_(i) in step 124 in order to ensure that the shading system can prevent direct sunlight from passing through the lower triangular section 1100 l of the roof light 1100 throughout the year. Thus, in an exemplary embodiment, the point R_(ij) is representative of the source of direct light waves from the sun directed toward the point Q_(ij) during the summer solstice.

[0059] If j is not equal to N in step 126, then the index value j is increased in step 128, and steps 120, 122, 124, and 126 are repeated. Alternatively, if j is equal to N in step 126, then, for j=1 to N, the point R_(ij) having the maximum height H_(ij) is then determined, and, as illustrated in FIG. 16, a vector V_(i) is then constructed that extends from the point Q_(ij) corresponding to the point R_(ij) having the maximum height H_(ij) through the point R_(ij) in step 130. The point SHADEMAX_(i) at which the vector V_(i) intersects the shading surface 1102 b is then determined in step 132.

[0060] Thus, the point SHADEMAX_(i) is representative of the corresponding point in space on the shading surface 1102 b at which direct light waves from the sun during the summer solstice will impact the shading surface.

[0061] If i is not equal to M in step 134, then the index value i is increased in step 136, and steps 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, 132, and 134 are repeated. Alternatively, if i is equal to M in step 134, then a curve CSHADE is drawn through the points SHADEMAX_(i), for i=1 to M in step 138.

[0062] As illustrated in FIG. 17, the curve CSHADE defines the boundary of the shading surface 1102 b required to ensure that the shading surface prevents direct sunlight from impacting the surface of the lower triangular portion 1100 l of the rooflight 1100. Thus, the curve CSHADE defines the minimum profile of the shading surface 1102 b required to prevent direct sunlight from passing through the lower triangular portion 1100 l of the roof light 1100 throughout a solar year, and thereby also defines the profile of the shading surface 1102 b that permits the maximum amount of indirect sunlight to pass through the lower triangular portion 1100 l of the roof light 1100 through the solar year.

[0063] As illustrated in FIG. 18, the resulting shading system 1104 l for the lower triangular portion 1100 l of the square roof light 1100 includes the solid shading surface 1102 a and the shading surface 1102 b including an opening 1102 ba that is defined by the curve CSHADE. The size and shape of the opening 1102 ba in the shading surface 1102 b that is defined by the curve CSHADE prevents direct sunlight from passing through the lower triangular portion 1100 l of the square roof light 1100 throughout a solar year, and permits the maximum amount of indirect sunlight to pass through the lower triangular portion of the square roof light throughout the solar year.

[0064] As illustrated in FIGS. 19a and 19 b, due to the symmetrical design of the upper and lower triangular portions, 1100 u and 1100 l, of the square roof light 1100, a shading system 1104 u for the upper triangular portion of the square roof light is then provided that is substantially identical to the shading system 1104 l except that the shading system 1104 u is positioned below the plane of the square roof light and is rotated 180 degrees relative to the shading system 1104 l.

[0065] Referring to FIGS. 20a and 20 b, an exemplary embodiment of a natural lighting module 1106 includes the square roof light 1100, having upper and lower triangular sections, 1100 u and 1100 l, respectively, the upper shading system 1104 u, and the lower shading system 1104 l that sandwich and contain the square roof light within recesses, 1104 ua and 1104 la, formed in the bases of the upper and lower shading systems. In this manner, the natural lighting module 1106 provides a modular construction that facilitates the fabrication of the natural lighting module.

[0066] As illustrated in FIG. 21a, the natural lighting module 1106 may then be incorporated into the roof 16 (FIG. 1) of the building 10 in order to only provide indirect ambient lighting of the interior of the building. In an exemplary embodiment, the square roof light 1100 is positioned in the plane of the light transmission assembly 30 of the building 10, the lower shading system 1104 l extends upwardly out of the plane of the assembly 30, and the upper shading system 1104 u extends downwardly out of the plane assembly 30 and into the interior space of the building 10. Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 21b and 21 c, the light transmission assembly 30 may include a plurality of natural lighting modules 1106 that are positioned side by side.

[0067] In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 22, adjacent natural lighting modules 1106 a and 1106 b are coupled by means of a interlocking arrangement in which the natural lighting module 1106 a includes a groove 1106 aa that is adapted to mate with a tongue 1106 ba formed in the natural lighting module 1106 b. In this manner, the assembly of adjacent natural lighting modules 1106 is made more efficient and precise.

[0068] The present embodiments of the invention provide a number of advantages. For example, the ability to provide a shading system for a roof light that prevents (minimizes) direct ambient light waves from entering the interior of a building through the roof light prevents harsh shadows within the interior of the building and also reduces cooling costs associated with cooling the interior of the building. In addition, the method provides a shading system for a roof light that is prevents direct sunlight from passing through the roof light, and permits the maximum amount of indirect or diffuse sunlight to pass through the roof light thereby maximizing the level of indirect or diffuse ambient lighting within a building. As a result, all of the costs associated with providing natural lighting of the interior of a building are reduced. Moreover, the above is accomplished with the addition of the light transmission assembly 30 and the glass panel assembly 32. Further, the unique pivoted bracket/support rod system extending from the roof to the walls of each module of the building supports the assemblies 30, 32 in a manner that minimizes light obstruction to the roof and that compensates for relative movement between the various components of the building due to changes in temperature and weather conditions.

[0069] It is understood that variations may be made in the foregoing without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, all or at least a portion of the roof lights 112 a, 1100, and 1202 a may be of different sizes, dimensions, and number, and may be inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. Furthermore, the roof lights 112 a, 1100, and 1202 a may include materials that permit light waves to pass there through such as, for example, glass, or may simply be defined by openings in the roof of the building 10. Moreover, the building 10 is not limited to five modules as disclosed above but can be formed by any number of modules, including one. Also, the spatial references used above, such as “above”, “below”, “left”, “right”, etc. were for the purposes of example only and are not intended to limit the specific spatial orientation of the components in question.

[0070] Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, a wide range of modification, changes and substitution is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure. In some instances, some features of the present invention may be employed without a corresponding use of the other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A natural lighting module, comprising: a roof light having a first portion and a second portion; a first shading system for shading the first portion of the roof light positioned on one side of the roof light comprising a base portion that defines a first recess for receiving a portion of the roof light; and a second shading system for shading the second portion of the roof light positioned on the other side of the roof light comprising a base portion that defines a second recess for receiving another portion of the roof light; wherein the base portions of the first and second shading systems together define an interlocking element for coupling the natural lighting module with other natural lighting modules.
 2. A shading system for a roof light positioned in the plane of a roof of a building, comprising a shading surface that prevents direct sunlight from passing through the roof light throughout a solar year and permits the maximum amount of indirect sunlight to pass through the roof light throughout the solar year.
 3. The shading system of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the shading surface is positioned above the plane of the roof light; and wherein at least another portion of the shading surface is positioned below the plane of the roof light.
 4. The shading system of claim 3, wherein the roof light is divided up into a plurality of sections; wherein at least a portion of the shading surface positioned above the plane of the roof light prevents direct sunlight from passing through some of the sections of the roof light throughout the solar year and permits the maximum amount of indirect sunlight to pass through the some sections roof light throughout the solar year; and; and wherein at least another portion of the shading surface positioned below the plane of the roof light prevents direct sunlight from passing through another of the sections of the roof light throughout the solar year and permits the maximum amount of indirect sunlight to pass through the other sections of roof light throughout the solar year.
 5. A building, comprising: a support structure defining an interior of the building; a roof structure coupled to the support structure defining a roof light for permitting ambient light waves to passing into the interior of the building; and a shading system coupled to the roof structure having one or more selected shading surfaces for preventing direct sunlight from passing directly through the roof light throughout a solar year; wherein the shading system permits the maximum amount of indirect sunlight to pass through the roof light throughout the solar year for the selected shading surfaces.
 6. The building of claim 5, wherein at least some of the shading surfaces are positioned above the plane of the roof lights; and wherein at least some other of the shading surfaces are positioned below the plane of the roof lights.
 7. The building of claim 5, wherein the roof light is divided up into a plurality of sections; wherein at least some of the shading surfaces are positioned above the plane of the roof light and correspond to some of the roof light sections; and wherein at least some other of the shading surfaces are positioned below the plane of the roof light and correspond to some other of the roof light sections.
 8. A building, comprising: a building support structure; a roofing system coupled to the building support structure; and a plurality of natural lighting modules coupled to the roofing system, each natural lighting module comprising: a roof light having a first portion and a second portion; a first shading system for shading the first portion of the roof light positioned on one side of the first roof light comprising a base portion that defines a first recess for receiving a portion of the roof light; and a second shading system for shading the second portion of the roof light positioned on the other side of the roof light comprising a base portion that defines a second recess for receiving another portion of the roof light; wherein the base portions of the first and second shading systems together define an interlocking element for coupling the natural lighting module with other natural lighting modules.
 9. A building, comprising: a plurality of upright walls; and a roof extending between the walls to define an interior and comprising: a light transmission system for selectively permitting ambient light to pass into the interior of the building depending on the position of the sun; and a drain system for directing any water passing through the light transmission system away from the building.
 10. The building of claim 9 wherein the light transmission system comprises a shading system having one or more selected shading surfaces for preventing direct sunlight from passing directly into the interior and permitting the maximum amount of indirect sunlight to pass into the interior.
 11. The building of claim 9 wherein the drain system comprises a sloped structure extending below the light transmission system and adapted to receive water passing through the light transmission system, the sloped structure permitting the water to flow, by gravity, to at least one marginal edge portion of the structure.
 12. The building of claim 11 wherein the drain system further comprises at least one gutter disposed adjacent the marginal edge portion for receiving the water from the sloped structure, and at least one drainpipe registering with the gutter for receiving the water from the gutter and directing it to an area external to the building.
 13. The building of claim 11 wherein the sloped structure permits the light to pass from the light transmission system to the interior.
 14. The building of claim 9 further comprising a bracket extending from the roof, and at least one rod connected between the bracket and at least one of the walls, the rod being pivotally connected to the bracket to compensate for relative movement between the various components of the building due to changes in temperature and weather conditions.
 15. A method of controlling the passage of ambient light into the interior of a building, comprising selectively permitting ambient light to pass through the roof of the building into the interior depending on the position of the sun; and directing any water passing through the roof away from the building.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein direct sunlight is prevented from passing into the interior, and the maximum amount of indirect sunlight is permitted to pass into the interior.
 17. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of directing comprises providing a sloped structure on the building which is adapted to receive the water and permit the water to flow, by gravity, to at least one marginal edge portion of the roof.
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein the step of directing further comprises receiving the water from the sloped structure, and directing the received water to an area below the building.
 19. The method of claim 17 wherein the light passes from the roof, through the sloped structure, and to the interior.
 20. The method of claim 15 further comprising compensating for relative movement between the various components of the building due to changes in temperature and weather conditions.
 21. A building, comprising: a plurality of upright walls; a roof extending between the walls to define an interior; a bracket extending from the roof; and at least one rod connected between the bracket and at least one of the walls, the rod being pivotally connected to the bracket to compensate for relative movement between the various components of the building due to changes in temperature and weather conditions.
 22. The building of claim 21 wherein there is a plurality of rods extending generally horizontally and upwardly from the bracket to two opposite walls.
 23. The building of claim 22 wherein the rods impart an arch to the roof.
 24. The building of claim 21 wherein the roof comprises a light transmission system for selectively permitting ambient light to pass into the interior depending on the position of the sun.
 25. The building of claim 24 wherein the light transmitting system comprises at least one shading surface for preventing direct sunlight from passing into the interior and for permitting the maximum amount of indirect sunlight to pass into the interior.
 26. The building of claim 24 further comprising a drain system for directing any water passing through the light transmission system away from the building.
 27. The building of claim 26 wherein the drain system comprises a sloped structure extending below the light transmission system and adapted to receive the water from the light transmission system, the sloped structure permitting the water to flow, by gravity, to at least one marginal edge portion of the structure.
 28. The building of claim 27 further comprising at least one gutter disposed adjacent the marginal edge portion for receiving the water from the sloped structure, and at least one drainpipe registering with the gutter for receiving the water from the gutter and directing it to an area below the building.
 29. The building of claim 27 wherein the sloped structure permits light to pass from the light transmission system to the interior.
 30. A method of designing a shading system for a roof light positioned in the plane of a roof of a building, comprising: defining the geographic location and shape of the roof light; defining the shape of a shading surface for preventing direct ambient light from passing through the roof light; defining the sun path for the geographic location of the roof light; and determining the minimum extent of the shading surface needed to prevent direct sunlight from passing through the roof light throughout a solar year.
 31. The method of claim 30, wherein determining the minimum extent of the shading surface needed to prevent direct sunlight from passing through the roof light throughout the solar year comprises: defining a plurality of discrete points along the perimeter of the roof light; for each discrete point along the perimeter of the roof light, determining opposite points along the perimeter of the roof light at which vectors passing through the discrete point will intersect the perimeter of the roof light for a plurality of discrete solar azimuthal angles; for each opposite point along the perimeter of the roof light, determining the height of a reference point directly above the corresponding discrete point at which a direct light wave from the sun directed toward the opposite point at the corresponding solar azimuthal angle will pass through the reference point directly above the corresponding discrete point; for each discrete point, determining the reference point directly above the discrete point having the greatest height above the discrete point; for each discrete point, constructing a vector that passes through the reference point having the greatest height above the discrete point and the corresponding opposite point; for each vector, determining the intersection point of the vector with the shading surface; and defining the boundary of the shading surface using the intersection points on the shading surface.
 32. The method of claim 30, further comprising: dividing the roof light into a plurality of sections; and dividing the shading surface up into a plurality of sections corresponding to the plurality of sections of the roof light.
 33. The method of claim 32, wherein at least some of the shading surface sections are positioned above the plane of the roof light; and wherein at least some other of the shading surface sections are positioned below the plane of the roof light.
 34. The method of claim 32, wherein at least some of the shading surface sections are positioned above the plane of the roof light and correspond to some of the roof light sections; and wherein at least some other of the shading sections are positioned below the plane of the roof light and correspond to some other of the roof light sections.
 35. A system for designing a shading system for a roof light positioned in the plane of a roof of a building, comprising: means for defining the geographic location and shape of the roof light; means for defining the shape of a shading surface for preventing direct ambient light from passing through the roof light; means for defining the sun path for the geographic location of the roof light; and means for determining the minimum extent of the shading surface needed to prevent direct sunlight from passing through the roof light throughout a solar year.
 36. The system of claim 35, wherein the means for determining the minimum extent of the shading surface needed to prevent direct sunlight from passing through the roof light throughout the solar year comprises: means for defining a plurality of discrete points along the perimeter of the roof light; means for each discrete point along the perimeter of the roof light, determining opposite points along the perimeter of the roof light at which vectors passing through the discrete point will intersect the perimeter of the roof light for a plurality of discrete solar azimuthal angles; means for each opposite point along the perimeter of the roof light, determining the height of a reference point directly above the corresponding discrete point at which a direct light wave from the sun directed toward the opposite point at the corresponding solar azimuthal angle will pass through the reference point directly above the corresponding discrete point; means for each discrete point, determining the reference point directly above the discrete point having the greatest height above the discrete point; means for each discrete point, constructing a vector that passes through the reference point having the greatest height above the discrete point and the corresponding opposite point; means for each vector, determining the intersection point of the vector with the shading surface; and means defining the boundary of the shading surface using the intersection points on the shading surface.
 37. The system of claim 35, further comprising: means for dividing the roof light into a plurality of sections; and means for dividing the shading surface up into a plurality of sections corresponding to the plurality of sections of the roof light.
 38. The system of claim 37, wherein at least some of the shading surface sections are positioned above the plane of the roof light; and wherein at least some other of the shading surface sections are positioned below the plane of the roof light.
 39. The system of claim 38, wherein at least some of the shading surface sections positioned above the plane of the roof light correspond to some of the sections of the roof light; and wherein at least some of the shading surface sections positioned below the plane of the roof light correspond to some other sections of the roof light.
 40. A computer program for designing a shading system for a roof light positioned in the plane of a roof of a building recorded in a storage medium, comprising program instructions for: defining the geographic location and shape of the roof light; defining the shape of a shading surface for preventing direct ambient light from passing through the roof light; defining the sun path for the geographic location of the roof light; and determining the minimum extent of the shading surface needed to prevent direct sunlight from passing through the roof light throughout a solar year.
 41. The computer program of claim 40, wherein the program instructions for determining the minimum extent of the shading surface needed to prevent direct sunlight from passing through the roof light throughout the solar year comprises program instructions for: defining a plurality of discrete points along the perimeter of the roof light; for each discrete point along the perimeter of the roof light, determining opposite points along the perimeter of the roof light at which vectors passing through the discrete point will intersect the perimeter of the roof light for a plurality of discrete solar azimuthal angles; for each opposite point along the perimeter of the roof light, determining the height of a reference point directly above the corresponding discrete point at which a direct light wave from the sun directed toward the opposite point at the corresponding solar azimuthal angle will pass through the reference point directly above the corresponding discrete point; for each discrete point, determining the reference point directly above the discrete point having the greatest height above the discrete point; for each discrete point, constructing a vector that passes through the reference point having the greatest height above the discrete point and the corresponding opposite point; for each vector, determining the intersection point of the vector with the shading surface; and defining the boundary of the shading surface using the intersection points on the shading surface.
 42. The computer program of claim 40, further comprising program instructions for: dividing the roof light into a plurality of sections; and dividing the shading surface up into a plurality of sections corresponding to the plurality of sections of the roof light.
 43. The computer program of claim 42, wherein at least some of the shading surface sections are positioned above the plane of the roof light; and wherein at least some other of the shading sections are positioned below the plane of the roof light.
 44. The computer program of claim 43, wherein at least some of the shading surface sections positioned above the plane of the roof light correspond to some of the sections of the roof light; and wherein at least some of the shading surface sections positioned below the plane of the roof light correspond to some other sections of the roof light.
 45. A method of designing a shading system for a roof light positioned in the plane of a roof of a building, comprising: defining the geographic location, orientation, and shape of the roof light; defining the shape of a shading surface for preventing direct ambient light from passing through the roof light; defining the sun path for the geographic location and orientation of the roof light; defining M points P_(i) around the perimeter of the roof light; defining N angles of solar azimuth α_(j) and N corresponding solar angles of altitude β_(j); for i=1 to M, perform (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e); (a) for j=1 to N, perform (b), (c), (d) and (e); (b) construct lines L_(ij) across the roof light from the point P_(i) to the corresponding point Q_(ij) on the opposite side of the perimeter of the roof light; (c) determine the length LENGTH_(ij) of the lines L_(ij); (d) for each angle of solar azimuth α_(j), determining the height H_(ij) of a point R_(ij) directly above the point P_(i), wherein H_(ij) is equal to the length LENGTH_(ij) multiplied by the arc tangent of the corresponding solar altitude β_(j); (e) determine the points R_(ij) having the greatest heights H_(ij); (f) construct vectors V_(i) from the points Q_(ij) that extend through the points R_(ij) having greatest height H_(ij); (g) determine the points SHADE_(i) at which the vectors V_(i) intersect the shading surface of the roof light; for i=1 to M, constructing a curve CSHADE between the points SHADE_(i); and defining the boundary of the shading surface using the curve CSHADE. 